2013: Simmons, whose brother starred at linebacker for USC, will compete for playing time at outside linebacker as a senior in 2013.

2012: Simmons was a reserve linebacker and played on special teams as a junior in 2012. Overall in 2012 while appearing in 12 games (all but Washington), he had 9 tackles. He had 3 tackles against both Colorado and Arizona State and 1 tackle each against Hawaii, UCLA and Notre Dame.

2011: Simmons was a backup linebacker and special teams player as a sophomore in 2011. He appeared briefly in 2 games (Minnesota and Utah), but injured his neck against Utah, which required surgery and sidelined him for USC's final 10 games. He had 1 tackle against Minnesota.

2010: Simmons served as a reserve linebacker and played occasionally on special teams as a redshirt freshman in 2010. Overall in 2010 while appearing in 3 games (California, Notre Dame, UCLA), he made 1 tackle (at UCLA). He missed USC's first 2 games after having his appendix removed, then was sidelined for 4 mid-season games (Oregon, Arizona State, Arizona and Oregon State) with mononucleosis.

2009: Simmons redshirted as a freshman linebacker in 2009, his first year at USC. He won USC's Service Team Defensive Player of the Year Award.

HIGH SCHOOL: His 2008 honors included Super Prep All-American, Prep Star All-American, USA Today All-USA second team, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West honorable mention, Orange County Register Fab 15 second team, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Cal-Hi Sports All-State third team, Golden State Preps All-Southern California third team and All-CIF Western Division first team as a linebacker at Dominguez High in Compton (Calif.). He had 81 tackles and 7 sacks in 2008.

As a junior in 2007, he made Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass second team, All-CIF Western Division first team, Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team first team and All-San Gabriel Valley League Defensive MVP. He had 80 tackles and 8 sacks in 2007.

As a sophomore in 2006, he made Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomore while getting 65 tackles and 11 sacks.

PERSONAL: He's a sociology major at USC. His brother, Melvin ("Champ"), lettered 2 seasons (2002-03) at linebacker for USC (including on Troy's 2003 national championship squad) after lettering 2 years (1999-2000) at Washington State. His brother, Marvin, lettered in 2004 at linebacker for Kansas State (he originally signed with USC). Two other brothers, Marlin (with California in 2004) and Maurice (with USC in 2008), signed with colleges but did not enroll.